NBA Tournament Plays: Friday, December 5th
What’s up Grinders!
There are some huge tournaments going on tonight around the industry – there’s the $225K Slam on FanDuel for a $25 entry along with the $200 Monster and $2 shot, both of which have $100K prizepools.
Over on DraftKings, we have the $200 Showtime and $27 Crossover, both with $100K prizepools. It’s a great time to be a player in today’s DFS landscape, and with so much money to be won tonight, let’s jump right into some GPP plays for tonight’s 12-game slate.
POINT GUARD
Kyle Lowry – Since DeRozan has been out, Lowry has a usage rate of 34.1% – think Kobe Bryant levels when he launches 30 shots a game. Lowry is in clear control of the Raptors offense right now, and has one of the best matchups available tonight at home vs. Kyrie Irving and the Cavs. Lowry has taken 28, 21, and 22 shots in his last three games while racking up assists and rebounds. If there is a player I want to have on my tournament teams tonight, it’s Lowry. He is a near lock for 45+ Fpts tonight, with upside into the 60s.
Rajon Rondo – Rondo just had one of his worst games of the season, and just can’t hit his shot right now going 3-19 in his past three games, which may keep his ownership suppressed tonight. After Wednesday, he stated “I haven’t been as aggressive. I haven’t been making shots. I’ve been turning the ball over. So, like I said, a lot of those losses I put on myself, and I’ve got to find a better rhythm.” There are few better matchups than facing the Lakers and Jeremy Lin at home in Boston, and with this game having a monster O/U at 217 and a close spread with the Celtics only favored by three, monster fantasy goodness is to be had in this game, and it starts with Rondo.
Other PGs to consider: John Wall, Michael Carter Williams, Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague, Mo Williams (If he plays), Jose Calderon, Greivis Vasquez
SHOOTING GUARD
Monta Ellis – Ellis has consistently been putting up great fantasy performances, hitting 40+ DK points in five of his last 10 games. He plays a ton of minutes, and gets a great matchup against another fast paced team in the Suns tonight. This game has a great O/U at 216, and with the Mavs just five-point favorites, this should rival the Boston/LA game for fantasy goodness.
Bradley Beal – Will the real Bradley Beal please stand up? Beal exploded last game against the Lakers for 27 points on his way to a huge fantasy night. Beal gets another appealing fantasy matchup tonight against the up-tempo Nuggets, who should add a few extra possessions to the Wizards offense tonight. Beal had some huge games last season, and could lead you to the top of the fields tonight if the hot streak is starting.
Other SGs to consider: James Harden, Kobe Bryant, Eric Bledsoe, Jason Terry, Kyle Korver
SMALL FORWARD
Jeff Green – Many people will be targeting Rondo and Sullinger tonight from the Celtics, but don’t forget about Jeff Green. Green plays very consistent minutes (right around 35 a night), and has shown upside recently posting two 40+ Fpt nights in his last 10. This game pits two high pace teams (Boston 2nd/Lakers 7th), and with the Lakers being completely deficient in defense (111 ppg allowed, league high), has me loving Green tonight.
K.J. McDaniels – Tony Wroten and Alexy Shved are out again tonight, which means you can fire up McDaniels for another night of 30+ minutes. He has three straight games of 30+ Fpt performances, and 30+ minutes, and even in a tough matchup vs. the Thunder, should be able to reproduce his recent stat lines.
Other SFs to consider: LeBron James, Kevin Durant (He is on a 30 min limit, so be careful), Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gay (Huge usage with no DMC), Corey Brewer (Very interesting if Mo Williams sits)
POWER FORWARD
Dirk Nowitzki – Dirk got rested on Wednesday, and should be good to go for major minutes tonight at home vs. the Suns. Dirk has the third highest usage rate at PF of players who start regularly, and gets a plus matchup in an up-tempo game. There will be a ton of scoring in this game, and Dirk will be right in the middle of it.
Jared Sullinger – SURPRISE! Another player from the Celtics/Lakers game. Sully is a near lock for 30 Fpts tonight, and will have upside into the low 40s against the fast paced Lakers who struggle to defend PFs. The only thing holding Sully back from huge nights are his minutes, which seem to be limited to 30-32 a night. Even with 30 minutes, Sully has a very high floor tonight with very little chance of tanking your team, and saves you some coin over some of the higher priced guys out there.
Other PFs to consider: Paul Millsap, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudemire (If he starts), Reggie Evans, Donatas Motiejunas
CENTER
Tyson Chandler – Chandler is rebounding everything right now for Dallas, posting TWO 20+ rebound games in his past five games. Dirk and Parsons are letting Tyson scrape everything off the boards, which has really turned Chandler into a great fantasy play this season. The Suns have no one to physically challenge Chandler for rebounds tonight, and if Chandler can put in 15 points tonight (something he has done in three of his last five games), he could be in line for a monster fantasy night once you add in his boards and blocks.
Enes Kanter – Merely suggesting Kanter tonight almost guarantees he will fall on his face tonight, as every time I roster this guy he stinks. However, if he has done this to me, he has likely done that to many of you, which may keep his ownership low tonight even after two straight great fantasy performances. He has played 34 and 31 minutes in his last two games, much higher than his season average of 25, and has a great matchup against the soft interior defense of the Magic tonight. His arrow is pointing up, and you want to roster guys like Kanter while they are playing good and are cheap.
Other Centers to consider: Chris Bosh, Marcin Gortat, Roy Hibbert, Gorgui Dieng, Jordan Hill, Kyle O’Quinn